Amicus Commercial Takes The Business View As Well As The Legal

Suzanne Belina, Specialist Employment Lawyer

Employment Law

Employment Status

Owner/director, self-employed consultant, partner to casual worker all require different treatment and contractual documentation and this impacts on the tax position both personally and for the business. Amicus Commercial advise on the range of options to give you the most efficient workplace structure.

Contracts and Policies

Full-time, part-time, zero-hours, flexi-hours, casual, self-employed, worker; There are many different forms a contract can take. Add to this the legal requirement to provide a statement of employment within two months of the working relationship and it is essential to get the contract right in the first place.

The contract gives you the opportunity to govern the working relationship, set parameters and protect the business when the employee leaves. Policies also fine tune the day to day working environment from making sure employees treat each other with respect to making sure they use social media appropriately in the workplace.

Disputes and Litigation

However well run the organisation, there can be disputes. Often these can be resolved using a workable disciplinary and grievance procedure, When a problem escalates, a practical and effective solution needs to be found. This may include mediation or tribunal proceedings. With some 30 years of litigation experience, the employment team at Amicus Commercial will guide you through the process.

Redundancy and Dismissal

On occasion there may be no option but to terminate contracts of employment. Occasionally this may be unavoidable because of economic pressures, otherwise the employees themselves may precipitate the action. Whatever the cause, such actions need to dealt with professionally and robustly to avoid any unwanted consequences. When staff leave, for whatever reason, there may be an opportunity for them to create difficulties at a later date or you may wish to firm up on their post termination responsibilities. Settlement agreements allow a whole range of options and give you the peace of mind and protection against future claims.

As a consequence of growing a business the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations will affect most takeovers of trading businesses. The rules surrounding this legislation are complex and the consequences of getting them wrong far reaching. Managing both outgoing and incoming staff needs to be orderly and handled correctly.

Maternity, Discrimination, Equal Opportunities

This is an area where procedure is paramount. Get it wrong and difficulties may present themselves, embrace the system and the whole process becomes clear. Amicus Commercial lawyers are here to help protect the interests of you and your business.

Meet some of our Specialist Employment Team

Suzanne Belina

Employment Solicitor

Suzanne is a specialist employment solicitor focusing on the needs of an employer. Suzanne worked at Over Taylor Biggs, Exeter for just under 20 years prior to linking up recently with her former colleague, Richard Biggs, as a key member of our commercial team. Suzanne is one of the few lawyers who has both corporate and employment experience and is therefore very well versed in dealing with the employment issues which can crop up during a business sale or purchase. It is no secret that she is one of the very few lawyers who actually enjoys dealing with TUPE!
Suzanne ‘s aim is to get to know an employer’s business really well so that she is better able to resolve employment problems when they arise as well as being proactive in advising an employer on the documentation which it should have in place to protect its business interests which includes its confidential information, intellectual property and customer base. In addition, Suzanne has extensive experience in handling all areas of employment law including redundancies, settlement agreements, employment tribunal claims, disciplinary and grievance issues as well as advising on general internal HR issues for employers without an HR department. Suzanne is based in South Devon and in her spare time enjoys all equestrian pursuits.

Call Suzanne on 07570 776756

Ian Pearson

Employment Solicitor

Ian started his legal career at British Petroleum before qualifying at Nabarro Nathanson (now Nabarros) and then working for Linklaters, the UK’s number two lawyers. After some 20 years in London, Ian moved down to the West Country to pursue a number of interests, both legal and otherwise. Ian specialises in UK employment law and acts on behalf of both employers and employees in all areas of contentious, non-contentious and company commercial law.

Ian is a company director of two small companies, a private landlord and when not practising law runs Somerset’s smallest commercial microbrewery. “Thank you for your patience and I am more than pleased with the outcome. I am not sure that I will ever again need the services of an employment law specialist but I would be happy to recommend you to anyone with a problem.” AB Ilminster

Call Ian on 01823 462500

Employee Hiring Business Briefing Document

Employee Hiring Best Practice Briefing Paper

Consultant Commercial Lawyer Opportunities

Author | amicus_admin

At Amicus Law Commercial we believe we have a unique offer for commercial and corporate lawyers who are seeking to move into a consultant style of working.

Perhaps you are a partner or associate in a commercial legal firm but are either not being fully recognised for your talents or it may be that you are looking to strike a more appealing work/life balance.

Whatever your motivation, if you are ambitious, commercially savvy and technically excellent we have a wide range of opportunities at Amicus Law Commercial that are likely to be exciting for you.

Amicus Law Commercial is a legal firm based in Somerset but operating nationally within a broad cross section of the business world. We have consultant solicitors who specialise in corporate litigation and contracts, commercial employment law and dispute resolution, providing a full suite of legal services in sectors as diverse as agriculture to membership bodies in sport.

If you like the sound of taking control of your career with the support of a personable and dynamic team, then Amicus Law Commercial may well be your best next step.

For an initial informal discussion about the opportunities of working with us as a Consultant please contact our Senior Partner, Richard Haste on 01823 462500.